Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Judson loved her husband. She was born in New Underwood, South Dakota on June 24, 1926 to Alner and Gertrude Lucille (East) Snesrud. Growing up and going to school in the same community as Merne “Jud” R. Judson, Sr, they become sweethearts, but they did not marry until both were living in Rapid City during World War II. She graduated from high school in Rapid City and that same year they were married on June 21, 1944. They lived north of New Underwood on the Judson family farm, in Rapid City for another nine years, and then moved to Denver, Colorado in December of 1956. “Jud” and “Betty” were married for 67 years until Merne died on March 26, 2012. They were a loving and devoted couple that spent a great deal of time together. Elizabeth would go on to live over 60 years in their south-west Denver home before living her last two months at Bross Street Assisted Living in Longmont, Colorado. Just having celebrated her 91 birthday party with family, she died on July 6, 2017 at Longmont United Hospital due to several complications including an enlarged heart!

Elizabeth loved her family. Merne and Elizabeth had six children. She supported her boys in all their activities including being an adult Cub Scout leader for a number of years. Their first child, their daughter, Lenore, died just six months after birth in 1946. First son, David (Kathryn) died in 2009. Four more sons, Merne Jr (Sarah) of Gunnison, Colorado; John (Patty, deceased) of Saquache County, Colorado; Mark (Kim) of Mount Crested Butte, Colorado, and; Paul (Nancy) of Longmont, Colorado; join, 12 grand-childen; 3 great grand-children; 6 step grand children; 11 step great grand-children; her brother, Dwight Snesrud of Lincoln, Nebraska; nieces and nephews; and others she claimed as family in celebrating a woman who prayed for them each day by name!

Elizabeth loved being creative and making crafts. Merne and Elizabeth opened Judson’s Hobbies and Crafts on South Federal Boulevard in Denver in 1964 with little knowledge of running a small business. They were successful in having a twenty-five year run of the “hobby shop” until their retirement in 1989. Elizabeth stood at the craft counter and taught beading, millinery arts, doll making, crocheting and knitting, among many other skills until her knees literally gave out. She filled her house with craft supplies and continued making items like beaded Christmas ornaments for her family for the rest of her life.

Elizabeth loved Jesus. A Lutheran much of her life, she was married and a member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota and an active member on committees and in woman’s circles and Bible Studies at Christ the King Lutheran Church and Atonement Lutheran Church in Denver. With her parents, husband, two of her children, and a brother, Hustin Snesrud, she now resides in the dominion of God, forever.

Elizabeth loved all colors of flowers growing in the old wash tubs outside her kitchen window, but in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to the building fund of Atonement Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Colorado or to one’s favorite charity in her name.